Old Trick, New Victims: ‘Grandparent Scams’ Hit Nutley

NUTLEY, NJ — A masked man recently tricked a Nutley victim out of $5,000, just one of several suspected “grandparent scam” incidents seen in the township over the past few weeks, authorities said.

On Friday, the Nutley Police Department said residents should be aware of multiple reports of schemes targeting elderly residents. Authorities wrote:

“This week, Nutley police received several reports in which a resident received a call from someone alleging their grandchild was involved in a motor vehicle accident and that they need immediate bail money. Although uncommon, we have seen an unusual number or victims throughout the state, including several in Nutley, that handed money to these scam artists when they arrived at their home. Police warn of these and similar crimes and urge you to inform your elderly relatives and neighbors in advance so that they are prepared should they receive this alarming call. As always if unsure, call police immediately.”

Such schemes aren’t new. So-called “grandparent scams” are estimated to cost Americans about $42 million every year.

The grandparent scam is "simple yet very devious" in that it exploits that relationship a grandparent has with a grandchild, Randy Brauer of the National Council on Aging told Patch for a story last year. Older Americans are a target of choice among con artists, partially because they're seen as vulnerable, but primarily because of the perception "they're sitting on piles of money," Brauer said.

• See related article: Grandparent Scam: Patch Readers' Stories Of Terrifying Con Job

According to police, recent suspicious incident in Nutley have included:

April 27 – A victim contacted headquarters to report they were scammed earlier in the day. They stated that between 12:30 and 1 p.m. they received a call from a “James Clark” who advised the victim that their grandson was involved in a car accident and being held in Newark on a $5,000 warrant. “James” stated that in order for their grandson to be released, she would need to pay $5,000 for the bail. The victim gathered the funds and an unknown male party responded to their residence at about 2:30 p.m. to pick up the money. The male actor had dark hair, was 5 feet 8 inches, thin and was wearing a mask. They took the money and left the area.

April 28 – A fraud was attempted where the caller, “Robert Stevens,” requested $6,000 for the release of the victim’s grandson who had been arrested. The victim did not believe the call and hung the phone up on the actor. They immediately contacted their son to explain what had happened and the police were contacted. No money was exchanged and the detective bureau was advised of the incident.

April 29 – Another fraud was attempted where the caller, “James Clark,” requested $7,000 for the release of the victim’s grandson who allegedly had been in an accident, injured, and was sent to Paterson Court. “Mr. Clark” stated that a courier service would be sent to pick up the money needed for the grandson’s release. The victim did not believe the call and hung the phone up on the actor. They immediately contacted police to report the incident. No money was exchanged and the detective bureau was advised of the incident.

April 30 - Headquarters received a report from the victim that stated they received a call from a man saying the victim’s granddaughter had been involved in a car accident. The actor/s requested $15,000 for bail. The victim informed the actor that they would not be able to retrieve the money due to being quarantined and he hung up the phone.

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